DBM to issue early Budget Call for 2012

The Budget Department wants to hasten the next budget process so that the Congress could pass earlier the appropriations bill for fiscal year 2012. The department will release in January the "Budget Call" or guide list for government agencies in preparation of budget requests, Budget Secretary Florencio Abad said in an interview with reporters. President Benigno Aquino III has already approved a new schedule for the Budget Call and Budget Call Forum next Jan. 6 and 7, 2011. In the past, the Budget Call was usually issued sometime April or May. With an early Budget Call, Aquino would be able to submit the proposed spending bill to Congress a day after he delivers his State of the Nation Address scheduled for July 25, 2011. The 1987 Constitution mandates the Executive branch to submit the proposed budget to Congress within 30 days after the session opens, which falls in August. "The 2011 budget, the first financial blueprint of the Aquino administration, was enacted on time — the first time it has happened in 11 years. We are committed to making sure that subsequent budgets under this government will be passed on time," said Abad. Starting next year, the government through six pilot departments would consult civil society groups as part of the budget process, according to the budget secretary, referring the departments of Education, Health, Social Welfare and Development, Agriculture, Agrarian Reform, and Public Works. "This new consultative budget preparation process is in line with the Aquino [administration's] commitment to ensure good governance through citizen's participation," he said. On Dec. 27, Aquino signed into law the P1.645-trillion General Appropriations Act for 2011. — JE/VS, GMANews.TV